FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

STEPPING IN: LG Matt Slauson suffered a high ankle sprain on the 21st play Sept. 7 against Buffalo. On the 29th play, C Roberto Garza left with the same injury. Neither has played since, leaving CFL refugee Michael Ola as the left guard and Brian de la Puente as the center. "They had two injuries but it doesn't seem to affect them," an AFC personnel man said. "(Jay) Cutler has been getting hit, but he's got so many people to distribute to that they keep coming back." Ola, who was claimed off Tampa Bay's waivers May 29, isn't as robust as Slauson but uses 35-inch arms to his advantage in protection. De la Puente, who played every snap for the Saints in 2012-'13, was signed by Chicago on April 6 for one year at $795,000. "De la Puente is very similar to Garza," said Mike Trgovac, the Packers' defensive line coach. "They're really similar in size and what they do. They've won two games with those guys, and they've battled some good players. They're playing well. It's not like they (the Bears) have some fish up there."

NOT SPECIAL: When Dave Toub was the Bears' special teams coach from 2004-'12, the units often decided games. In The Dallas Morning News' annual rankings, the Bears under Toub, in chronological order, finished 10th, 11th, first, first, eighth, sixth, fourth, third and ninth among 32 teams. Last year, Toub's units ranked third in Kansas City whereas Joe DeCamillis, the Bears' new coach, checked in 23rd. "They're not anything close to what they were," an NFL special teams coach said. "It's just a bunch of guys. I'm not knocking Marc Trestman, but Marc's an offensive coach and that's not a priority for him, I'm sure." The biggest problem is punt-protection for rookie Patrick O'Donnell, who has had one blocked and two almost blocked. "It's not that he's slow or anything," the coach said. "You've got a shot to block because they run that 'over' scheme where they take their tackle and put him on the other side. (DeCamillis) did it in Dallas and Atlanta, too. He's actually a little closer to the line of scrimmage than most guys are. It used to work really well when the punter was a real veteran and could turn his body and angle kick. This guy (O'Donnell) doesn't know how to do all that all quite yet."

ON THE RISE: TE Martellus Bennett has nine receptions for 132 yards in four games against Green Bay as a member of the Cowboys, Giants and Bears. At 27, he is off to a great start with four of his 20 catches for TDs. "He's having a hell of a year," safeties coach Darren Perry said. "He's got rare ability. Seems like now it's all coming together. He's really good after the catch. We've got to tackle him. If he makes his mind up he can be as good as any tight end in the league." Bennett cuts an imposing presence at 6 foot 6, 265 pounds. "I always forget how big he is," an assistant coach for a recent Bears' opponent said. "He can't run that fast but he's such a big man. He's perfect for their offense. Martellus is much bigger but Jermichael Finley is a better athlete. He can run and move better. This kid looks like a damn tackle out there."

TOP PICK: Bears GM Phil Emery had an array of top prospects staring him in the face with the 14th pick in May. Passing on ILBs Ryan Shazier and C.J. Mosley, Emery took Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller. With three interceptions and two forced fumbles, Fuller is the September pick for the NFL's best defensive rookie. "He's been really good," QB coach Alex Van Pelt said. "Very talented. You see a lot of (Charles) Tillman in him already. Looks to me like he's taken him under his wing. He has the hand-eye coordination to be able to knock the ball out." Joe Whitt, the Packers' cornerbacks coach, was high on Fuller last spring. "Smart, savvy, tough, understands football," Whitt said. "He didn't get that only from Tillman. Their secondary coach, Jon Hoke, does a fine job of teaching that (stripping the ball). You see everybody in their secondary doing that."

VETERAN PRESENCE: MLB Brian Urlacher played his final down in 2012 but his longtime partner, WLB Lance Briggs, remains an every-down player in his 12th season. "They do a heck of a job coaching there," an opposing assistant said. "They put a lot of money in their front, but there aren't a bunch of household names in that back seven anymore. Briggs is a name guy but, shoot, he's getting awful long in the tooth. If this isn't his last year I'd be surprised." Briggs has 24 tackles but no big plays. "Lance Briggs is still a playmaker," Packers RB coach Sam Gash said. "They're trying to mold all their other (linebackers) into him. (Jon) Bostic is very similar. Briggs diagnoses plays and takes great angles. That's the one thing he's always done. He has great bend in his upper body. Once he gets his paws on you you're pretty much (down)."

Bob McGinn

JOURNAL SENTINEL PREDICTIONS

BOB McGINN

Packers beat reporter

The defense has been taken to task by coaches for showing no pride late against Detroit. The O-line has been browbeaten by coaches for not finishing in the run game. Offensive kingpins Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy have taken their shots, too. If ever a Green Bay team should be motivated, this should be the Sunday.

TOM SILVERSTEIN

Packers beat reporter

The Bears are in a position to put the Packers in their place and show the road to the NFC North title doesn't necessarily run through Green Bay. But the odds of the Packers offense staying dormant aren't high, and the Bears don't have the same front four Detroit has to protect an injured secondary. This game is bigger for the Packers than it is the Bears, who are coming off two terrific road victories and won't be out of anything if they lose.

Packers 27, Bears 20

TYLER DUNNE

Packers beat reporter

Jay Cutler is 1-8 against the Packers, sure. But now he has three tall, dangerous weapons and a coach who has helped immensely with Cutler's efficiency and discipline. Unlike Green Bay, this Bears passing game is in midseason form.

Bears 31, Packers 20

LORI NICKEL

Packers beat reporter

I like the idea of Packers rebounding — if this were at Lambeau Field. But it is too hard not to respect all of Chicago's offensive weapons; Jay Cutler already has eight passing TDs in three games. I know, 1-3 does sound...weird. And weird things do tend to happen in this rivalry.

Bears 27, Packers 17

RICK KLAUER

Packer Plus editor

Aaron Rodgers? Eddie Lacy? History says the Packers have the weapons to beat the Bears. But Chicago's offense is no pushover. The Bears get the edge as the Packers try to figure out what ails them.